40th Flight Test Squadron

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title: "40th Flight Test Squadron" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["flight-test-squadrons-of-the-united-states-air-force"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40th_Flight_Test_Squadron" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_name40th Flight Test Squadron
image40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 with a Stand-in Attack Weapon.jpg
image_size300
caption40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon
dates1940–1970; 1971–1982; --present
country
branch
roleFlight Testing
command_structureAir Force Materiel Command
nicknameFighting Fortieth (1959–1982)
battlesSouthwest Pacific Theater
Korean War
decorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
identification_symbol[[File:40thflighttestsquadron.jpg
identification_symbol_label40th Flight Test Squadron emblemApproved 27 July 1983.
identification_symbol_2[[File:40 Fighter-Interceptor Sq emblem.png
identification_symbol_2_label40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblemApproved 9 July 1959.
identification_symbol_3[[File:40 Pursuit Sq emblem.png
identification_symbol_3_label40th Pursuit Squadron emblemApproved 19 June 1941.
::

|unit_name=40th Flight Test Squadron |image=40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 with a Stand-in Attack Weapon.jpg |image_size=300 |caption=40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon |dates=1940–1970; 1971–1982; --present |country= |branch= |type= |role=Flight Testing |size= |command_structure=Air Force Materiel Command |garrison= |nickname=Fighting Fortieth (1959–1982) |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=Southwest Pacific Theater Korean War |decorations=Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |anniversaries= |notable_commanders= |identification_symbol=[[File:40thflighttestsquadron.jpg|150px]] |identification_symbol_label=40th Flight Test Squadron emblemApproved 27 July 1983. |identification_symbol_2=[[File:40 Fighter-Interceptor Sq emblem.png|40 Fighter-Interceptor Sq emblem|150px]] |identification_symbol_2_label=40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblemApproved 9 July 1959. |identification_symbol_3=[[File:40 Pursuit Sq emblem.png|150px]] |identification_symbol_3_label=40th Pursuit Squadron emblemApproved 19 June 1941.

The 40th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 96th Operations Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/40th_Fighter-Interceptor_Squadron_Convair_TF-102A-45-CO_Delta_Dagger_56-2360.jpg" caption="40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Convair TF-102A-45-CO Delta Dagger 56-2360, Johnson AB, Japan, 1963"] ::

"Combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, 2 June 1942 – 14 August 1945. Served in the occupation force in Japan, 1945–1950. Combat in Korea, 8 July 1950 – 25 May 1951. Air defense in Japan and Korea, June 1951 – June 1965. Trained cadres for transfer to Southeast Asia, 1966–1969. Not manned, 10 May 1969 – 15 October 1970 and 1 June 1972 – 30 April 1982."

Conducted test and evaluation missions, using the various aircraft, 1982–present.

In 2022, the squadron added the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie to its inventory. This semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of determining an optimal mission flight path based on inputs from ground stations or airborne fighter aircraft. Testing will be led by the Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation Team.

Lineage

; 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron

  • Constituted as the 40th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 22 December 1939 : Activated on 1 February 1940 : Redesignated 40th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942 : Redesignated 40th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943 : Redesignated 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 January 1950 : Redesignated 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 20 June 1965 : Inactivated on 15 October 1970
  • Activated on 1 October 1971 : Inactivated on 30 April 1982
  • Consolidated with the 3247th Test Squadron on 1 October 1992 as the 40th Flight Test Squadron

; 40th Flight Test Squadron

  • Designated as the 3247th Test Squadron and activated on 25 June 1982
  • Consolidated with the 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron as the 40th Test Squadron on 1 October 1992 : Redesignated 40th Flight Test Squadron on 15 March 1994

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

  • (subscription required for web access)

References

  1. (11 December 2007). "Factsheet 40 Flight Test Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  2. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 187-188
  3. Hubbard, p. 720
  4. (November 11, 2022). "XQ-58A Valkyrie Drone Has Joined Eglin Air Force Base's Test Wing". The Warzone.
  5. Assignment information in Factsheet, 40 Flight Test Squadron, except as noted.
  6. (4 December 2017). "Factsheet 96 Operations Group (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  7. Station information in Fact Sheet 40 Flight Test Squadron excpt as noted.
  8. (May 2021). "[[AirForces Monthly]]". [[Key Publishing.

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